Method for removing material from a patient&#39;s body

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a method for removal of material from a patient&#39;s body. The method generally comprises the steps of providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving material. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises an elongate tissue removal member for conveying material through the lumen. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The method further comprises gathering a sample of said material into said lumen; and conveying with said tissue removal member at least a portion of the material sample proximally along said lumen. The step of gathering may be accomplished by advancing the apparatus through the material.

REFERENCES TO PARENT AND CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from and is a continuation-in-part ofco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/128,342, filed May 13,2005. In addition, this application claims the benefit of: U.S.provisional application No. 60/594,109 filed Mar. 1, 2005. Theaforementioned applications are all herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to methods for removal of material from apatient's body. More particularly, the invention relates to such methodsthat are minimally invasive.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

A number of medical conditions exist that may require material to beremoved from a patient's body. U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,023 B2 (Jan. 6,2004), as well as U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 10/093,765 (Mar. 8,2002), 10/093,774 (Mar. 8, 2002), 10/667,768 (Sep. 22, 2003), and11/134,569 (May 20, 2005), all to Pflueger, describe a device andmethods for removal of tissue from a body. The device generally includesa handpiece coupled to a tissue removal device having a cannula and arotable element with helical threading. In all the embodiments shown,the rotable element extends beyond the distal tip of the cannula, andthe apparatus is designed to draw tissue into the cannula upon rotationof the rotable element. The rotable element, however, may pose thethreat of damage to body tissue that it contacts, in that it maypenetrate, screw in to, or puncture such tissue. Thus there exists aneed for minimally invasive devices for removing tissue from a patient'sbody that overcome some or all of the deficiencies of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments ofthe invention are illustrated by way of examples in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device of theinvention.

FIG. 1B is a side-view of one embodiment of the device of the invention.

FIG. 1C is a top-view of one embodiment of the device of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-D are perspective views of several embodiments of the distalportion of the elongate member.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the distal portion of one embodiment ofthe apparatus.

FIGS. 4A-E are perspective views of several embodiments of the slits ofthe apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of one embodiment of one portion of theapparatus.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of the distal portion of one embodiment of thedistal portion of the apparatus.

FIGS. 8A-8L are illustrations of one embodiment of an application of themethod of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressedthat the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of certain embodiments of the present inventiononly, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to bethe most useful and readily understood description of the principles andconceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is madeto show structural details of the invention in more detail than isnecessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, thedescription taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled inthe art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied inpractice.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced orcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

Definitions

As used herein, the term “at”, for example when referring to somethingbeing located “at” a specific location, is intended to include any oneor more of: proximate, on, near, adjacent to or within the specificlocation.

As used herein, the terms “distal” and “proximal” are defined withrespect to the user. In other words, the term “distal” refers to thepart or portion further away from the user, while the term “proximal”refers to the part or portion closer to the user.

As used herein, the “posterior portion” of the nucleus pulposus refersto the approximately half of the nucleus pulposus that is closest to thedorsal side of the body, and the “anterior portion” of the nucleuspulposus refers to the approximately half of the nucleus pulposus thatis closest to the ventral side of the body.

As used herein, the term “shaft” refers to an elongate element havingeither a closed or open distal end.

As used herein, the term “bent” refers to any deviation from alongitudinal axis.

As used herein, the term “slot” refers to an outcutting, slit, gap, orhole and is not limited in size or shape.

As used herein, the term “obturator” refers to any item thatsubstantially fills or blocks a lumen.

As used herein, the term “cannula” is defined as an elongate devicedefining a lumen.

As used herein, the term “coring” refers to advancing an elongate memberdefining a lumen and having an open distal end into a tissue, whereinthe advancement results in the incorporation or gathering of at least aportion of the tissue into the lumen of the elongate member.

As used herein, the phrase “operatively connected” is intended to mean“coupled or connected, either directly or indirectly, such that theconnected structures are operable to perform a desired function”.

As used herein, the term “conveyance” refers to facilitation of movementof a material from one location to another.

Finally, as used herein, the term “fully disposed” refers to a firstmember being substantially fully received within a second member suchthat, under normal use, it is not intended to be inserted into the othermember any further.

Device

In one broad aspect, the present invention comprises an apparatus forremoval of materials from the body of a patient. In one specificembodiment of the method, the apparatus is used for removal of nucleuspulposus tissue from an intervertebral disc. The apparatus may generallycomprise a tissue removal member housed at least partially within anelongate member defining a lumen, for example a sheath. The tissueremoval member may be any device that functions to convey tissue fromthe distal end of the elongate member to a portion exterior to thepatient's body. In one embodiment, the tissue removal member is a shaftwith at least one projection extending outwardly from the shaft. Theshaft may have a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom.In one embodiment, the tissue removal member is operatively connected toa motor or other source of rotational energy which provides the motionrequired to remove the tissue.

In the general embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus comprises anelongate member 102, a handpiece 140, and a receptacle 138 forcollection or visualization of tissue.

In one embodiment of the present invention, elongate member 102comprises proximal portion 104 ending in open proximal end 106, anddistal portion 108 ending in open distal end 110. In other embodiments,described in more detail below, proximal end 106 may be closed andproximal portion 104 may define one or more apertures in a lateral wallthereof. Open distal end 110 defines aperture 112. In one specificembodiment, the cross-sectional shape of elongate member 102 issubstantially circular, however alternate embodiments are possible,wherein the shape may be ovoid, square, or rectangular, and elongatemember 102 is not limited in this regard. The plane in which aperture112 is defined may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of elongate member 102; however distal end 110 of elongate member102 may be beveled or otherwise oriented, in which case the plane ofaperture 112 would not necessarily be perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the shaft.

In one specific embodiment, elongate member 102 is sized to bepercutaneously directed to an interior tissue of the body. The length ofelongate member 102 is generally between about 15.0 and about 25.0 cm,more specifically between about 17.0 and about 19.0 cm; however it maybe otherwise sized to reach any target tissue within the body. Thediameter of elongate member 102 is generally between about 0.5 and about5.0 mm, more specifically between about 1.0 and about 2.0 mm, however itmay be otherwise sized to fit within the space defined by the targettissue.

In one embodiment, elongate member 102 may be bent or curved, as shownin FIGS. 2A-2D. This may allow for easier access to a target site. Thebend or curve may be applied by the user prior to or during theprocedure, or may be applied during manufacture. Many angles arepossible depending on the nature of the target tissue. For example, ifthe target tissue is the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc, thecurve may be at such an angle that the posterior portion of the nucleuspulposus may be reached with the device while allowing for an approachthat reduces risk of damage to the spinal canal. In this example, theangle of curvature would generally be between about 1.0 and about 5.0°.Furthermore, the curve or bend may be located at various points alongthe length of the elongate member. Distal end 110 of elongate member 102may additionally comprise a variety of geometries such as blunt, sharp,beveled, crown-shaped, fishhook shaped, or any other shape that will notinterfere with the proper functioning of apparatus 100.

Elongate member 102 may be manufactured from a number of differentmaterials. These include, but are not limited to, stainless steels,shape-memory materials such as nickel titanium alloys, polyesters,polyethylenes, polyurethanes, polyimides, nylons, copolymers thereof,and medical grade plastics. In one specific embodiment, elongate member102 is made from a clear, transparent or translucent plastic or othermaterial. This embodiment may allow the user to visualize the contentsof elongate member 102 to ensure that it is operating properly.

In one embodiment, elongate member 102 is structured to define at leastone slot in distal portion 108. The at least one slot 114 may functionto allow more tissue to enter elongate member 102, and may allow forease of movement through the target tissue, while still maintaining theseparation of the non-target tissues from tissue removal member 116.Referring now to FIG. 4, slot(s) 114 may extend proximally from distalend 110 of elongate member 102. Slot(s) 114 may extend to a point onelongate member 102 that is substantially coplanar with distal end 136of shaft 128 when shaft 128 is fully inserted into sheath 102. As usedherein, the term ‘substantially coplanar’ may include any deviation fromcoplanarity that would not interfere with the functioning of theapparatus. Therefore, slot(s) 114 may extend to a point that is eitherproximal or distal to distal end 136 of shaft 128. In one embodiment,slot(s) 114 may be between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm in length.Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4E, slot(s) 114 may be defined in a variety ofshapes including rectangular, square, triangular, or any other shapethat would not interfere with the proper functioning of apparatus 100.When a plurality of slots is included, the slots may becircumferentially arranged in any manner that will not interfere withthe proper functioning apparatus 100. For example, elongate member 102may include 2 slots that are diametrically opposite each other, orsubstantially adjacent to each other. In another example, elongatemember 102 may include 3 slots that are equidistant from each other, orthat are all arranged on one hemisphere of the distal end of theelongate member. In other embodiments, different arrangements and shapesof slots may be included. Furthermore, when a plurality of slots isincluded, the shape, positioning, or size of each of the slots need notbe identical.

Slot(s) 114 may be created in a number of ways. For example, a Dremel orother rotary tool may be used to cut or sand slot 114 into elongatemember 102. Alternatively, sheath 102 may be manufactured with slots 114included.

With respect to FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, apparatus 100 comprises tissueremoval member 116, which is structured to be disposed within elongatemember 102. Tissue removal member 116 comprises a proximal portionending in a proximal end, and distal portion 122 ending in distal end124. In one embodiment, tissue removal member 116 may be coaxial withelongate member 102; however tissue removal member 116 may be otherwisealigned. In one embodiment, the length of tissue removal member 116 issuch that the proximal portion of tissue removal member 116 extendsproximally beyond proximal end 106 of elongate member 102; howeverproximal ends of elongate member 102 and tissue removal member 116 maybe flush or otherwise aligned. In a specific embodiment, distal end 124of tissue removal member 116 is recessed proximally from the distal endof elongate member 102. This structure allows for distal portion 122 oftissue removal member 116 to be substantially shrouded within elongatemember 102. This arrangement may protect surrounding tissues from beingdamaged by contact with tissue removal member 116. The distance by whichtissue removal member 116 is recessed from distal end 110 of elongatemember 102 is generally between about 0.5 and about 4.0 mm, morespecifically between about 0.5 and about 2.0 mm; however, in thisembodiment, the distance may be any amount such that tissue removalmember 116 does not contact tissue until after the tissue has alreadyentered elongate member 102. Further details regarding the recession oftissue removal member 116 are discussed hereinbelow.

In one embodiment, tissue removal member 116 comprises a shaft 128having outwardly extending projections 126. In a more specificembodiment, the outwardly extending projections may comprise a helicalflighting or helical element disposed at least partially around shaft128. This arrangement may functionally form an auger, wherein the termauger refers to a device for moving or displacing material or liquid bymeans of a rotating helical flighting. However, any other structure thatfunctions as an auger may be used, such as a screw or a drill bit. Inone embodiment, outwardly extending projections 126 extend from distalportion 136 of shaft 128 and may end in proximal portion 130 of shaft128. In a specific embodiment, outwardly extending projections 126 mayend at a point located within receptacle 138, as described hereinbelow.Tissue removal member 116 is not limited to having one continuoushelical projection; it may comprise a plurality of discrete projectionsthat are either continuous or discontinuous over the length of theshaft, as shown in FIG. 3B. The geometry of the outwardly extendingprojections may vary in the thickness of the projections, the distancebetween projections, or in any other way that does not affect thefunctionality of the device. In addition, the diameter of projections126 may be constant or may vary. In the case of a constant diameter,projections 126 may be sized such that tissue removal member 116 fitsexactly within sheath 102, or projections 126 may be sized such that thediameter of tissue removal member 116 is smaller than the inner diameterof sheath 102. Furthermore, shaft 128 is not limited to one continuousshaft, and may comprise a plurality of shaft segments as shown in FIG.3C.

Distal end 136 of shaft 128 of tissue removal member 116 may have manyshapes, and the invention is not limited in this regard. For example,distal end 136 may be blunt, sharp, rounded, or otherwise shaped.Furthermore, distal portion 134 may be straight, bent, curved, beveled,or otherwise fashioned.

In one specific embodiment, outwardly extending projections 126 may bewelded to shaft 128. In another embodiment, outwardly extendingprojections 126 may be integrally formed with shaft 128. Shaft 128 canbe manufactured from a number of different materials. These include, butare not limited to, stainless steels, shape-memory materials such asnickel titanium alloys, polyesters, polyethylenes, polyurethanes,polyimides, nylons, copolymers thereof, and medical grade plastics.Furthermore, any combination of the above materials may be used tooptimize the physical properties of apparatus 100. For example, aplastic coating disposed on a metal core may optimize flexibility andstrength. Outwardly extending projections 126 may be manufactured from anumber of different materials, including but not limited to stainlesssteels, nitinol, and various plastics and polymers. Outwardly extendingprojections 126 may be attached to shaft 128 by welding, for examplelaser welding, or by any other suitable method of joining two suchcomponents, such as crimping, soldering, or the use of adhesives.Alternatively, as mentioned above, projections 126 may be integrallyformed with shaft 128 during the manufacturing process. In other words,shaft 128 and projections 126 may be manufactured or machined as onesingle device, such as the case of a screw or a drill-bit.

In one specific embodiment, shaft 128 may be at least partially coatedwith a substantially lubricious material. Such a material would be onethat facilitates movement of shaft 128 through elongate member 102. Inaddition, the inner surface of elongate member 102 may be coated withsuch a material. Suitable lubricious materials include, but are notlimited to, polytetrafluoroethylene, parylene, or tungstenite.

Tissue removal member 116 may generally be between about 6 inches andabout 18 inches in length, more specifically between about 10.0 inchesand about 13.5 inches. The diameter of shaft 128 may generally bebetween about 0.012 inches and about 0.042 inches, more specificallybetween about 0.016 inches and about 0.028 inches. The width ofoutwardly extending projections 126 may generally be between about 0.003inches and about 0.025 inches, more specifically between about 0.005inches and about 0.010 inches.

As previously mentioned, apparatus 100 may comprise a receptacle forhousing and/or viewing the tissue that is removed from the body. Herein,such a receptacle may be referred to as a collection chamber. Collectionchamber 138 may be manufactured in a variety of sizes depending on theapplication. In one embodiment, collection chamber 138 may be structuredto be coaxial with elongate member 102 and tissue removal member 116. Insuch an embodiment, collection chamber 138 may be located at, forexample adjacent to, proximal portion 104 of elongate member 102,wherein proximal end 106 of elongate member 102 and distal portion 604of collection chamber 138 are operatively connected, for example joinedby a hub or lock 144. Hub or lock 144 may be a luer lock, snap fit, orany other type of hub or joining mechanism that does not interfere withthe functioning of apparatus 100. In some embodiments, proximal portion104 of elongate member 102 may define an opening such that tissue mayexit therethrough and enter collection chamber 138. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 6, the opening is defined by proximal end 106 of elongatemember 102. In other embodiments, proximal portion 104 of elongatemember 102 may comprise one or more openings, for example in a lateralwall thereof, for allowing tissue to pass therethrough into collectionchamber 138. It is to be noted that a means for tissue to exit proximalportion 104 of elongate member 102 is not limited to openings, and mayinclude other means such as tubing, for example. In such embodiments,collection chamber 138 may be structured to receive tissue exitingproximal portion 104 of elongate member 102. For example, distal portion604 of collection chamber 138 may define a hole or other opening that isaligned with open proximal end 106 of elongate member 102, such thattissue may exit elongate member 102 through open proximal end 106 andenter collection chamber 138 through the hole defined by distal portion604. In some embodiments, tissue removal member 116 may extend throughopen proximal end 106 of elongate member 102 into, and optionallythrough, collection chamber 138, such that tissue may be deposited orviewed therein. In this embodiment, hub or lock 144 may be structuredsuch that it does not interfere with the passage of tissue from elongatemember 102 into collection chamber 138, and such that it allows tissueremoval member 116 to extend from within the lumen of elongate member102, through open proximal end 106, and into collection chamber 138. Ina specific embodiment, outwardly extending projections 126 of tissueremoval member 116 may end at a position within collection chamber 138.This may help to ensure that the tissue is deposited within collectionchamber 138. Shaft 128 of tissue removal member 116 may further extendthrough proximal portion 602 of collection chamber 138. In someembodiments, collection chamber may be structured to be coupled tohandpiece 140. In these embodiments, proximal portion 602 of collectionchamber 138 may be joined to the distalmost portion of handpiece 140with hub or lock 146. Hub or lock 146 may be a luer lock, snap fit, orany other hub or mechanism of joining that does not interfere with thefunctioning of apparatus 100. In a further embodiment, the collectionchamber assembly may comprise a gasket 600 or any other device thatwould prevent tissue from exiting proximal portion 602 of collectionchamber 138. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 6, distal portion604 of collection chamber 138 is operatively connected to elongatemember 102, proximal portion 602 of collection chamber 138 isoperatively connected to handpiece 140, and shaft 128 of tissue removalmember 116 runs through collection chamber 138 and into handpiece 140.In yet another embodiment, collection chamber 138 may be located withinhandpiece 140.

In some embodiments, collection chamber 138 may be structured to allowthe user to visualize the contents of the chamber. This may beaccomplished by manufacturing collection chamber 138 from a materialthat is clear, translucent, transparent, or otherwise pervious to light.Such materials include, but are not limited to, polycarbonate,polyvinylchloride, and polypropylene. In another embodiment, collectionchamber 138 may include means for measuring the amount of tissue that iscontained therein. The means may comprise, but are not limited to,volume markings on the chamber, a movable indicator that may bedisplaced by the tissue, or an electrically conductive marker that maylead to auto-shutoff when a certain amount of tissue has been removed.Furthermore, the moveable indicator may be structured such that it canbe preset by the user at a particular location, thus facilitating theremoval of a particular predetermined amount of tissue.

In one embodiment, collection chamber 138 may be structured to bedetached from apparatus 100 while still maintaining the tissue withincollection chamber 138. This may be accomplished by unscrewing orotherwise detaching collection chamber 138 from handle 140 and elongatemember 102, and sliding collection chamber 138 off of apparatus 100.Collection chamber 138 can then be capped or otherwise closed or sealedwith a snap-on cap, screw-cap, or any other means of sealing or closingcollection chamber 138. This embodiment may allow for the tissue to besent for further analysis, for example to a pathology laboratory.Persons skilled in the art will recognize that in some cases, tissue maystick to shaft 128 of tissue removal member 116. In these cases, aftercollection chamber 138 has been removed from apparatus 100, the user maysimply manually remove the tissue from apparatus 100, and place it in aseparate vial for collection. Alternatively, shaft 128 may be structuredto be removed from handpiece 140 such that tissue can be slid or pulledoff the proximal end of shaft 128. In one specific embodiment, anon-stick coating, such as Teflon, may be included on the portion of theshaft that is within collection chamber 138 to prevent tissue fromsticking.

In another embodiment, collection chamber 138 may comprise a removablecollection vessel, sac, or pouch for ease of tissue removal. This wouldbe particularly useful in cases where collection chamber 138 ismulti-use and requires sterilization

As shown in FIG. 1, apparatus 100 may include handpiece 140. The shapeof handpiece 140 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 may allow for theuser to grip and manipulate the apparatus in a number of different ways.For example, the user may grasp handpiece 140 using an overhand“screwdriver” grip. This grip may be beneficial for coarse movementssuch as insertion. In another example, the user may employ a “pencil”grip. This grip may be beneficial for fine or delicate movements, suchas the navigation of apparatus 100 to the appropriate tissue. Thesetechniques for gripping handpiece 140 are given as examples only, andare not meant to limit the manner in which the user may grip thehandpiece. In one embodiment, a switch 142 may be recessed radially onhandpiece 140, as shown in FIG. 1, thereby helping to prevent apparatus100 from being inadvertently engaged. In another embodiment, handpiece140 may comprise a latch or guard to prevent switch 142 from beinginadvertently engaged.

Handpiece 140 may generally be sized to accommodate a number of handsizes. In a specific embodiment, handpiece 140 may be structured toallow a user to easily grasp and manipulate the apparatus.

The internal structure of one embodiment of handpiece 140 is shown inFIG. 5. In such an embodiment, handpiece 140 may be structured to housea battery 502, a motor 500, and electrical connections 110 therebetween.In addition, switch 142 may be located on handpiece 140, therebyrendering apparatus 100 self contained and/or wireless. In thisembodiment, handpiece 140 may include an opening 504 for proximal end130 of shaft 128 to enter handpiece 140. Alternatively, in an embodimentwhere the shaft does not enter handpiece 140, handpiece 140 may includean aperture for the electrical connections joining the motor to theshaft to exit therethrough. In one embodiment, the distalmost portion ofhandpiece 140 may connected to proximal end 106 of elongate member 102.This connection may be temporary via a luer lock, a snap fit, or anyother type of anchoring, or may be permanent via the use of adhesives.The connection may allow shaft 128 of the tissue removal member 116 toextend therethrough. In these embodiments, handpiece 140 is preferablyhollow and defines a lumen.

Handpiece 140 may be manufactured from a number of different materials,including, but not limited to, molded plastics. In one embodimenthandpiece 140 may be formed from two pieces of molded material that aresealed together with an adhesive or other appropriate sealing technique.This would allow for motor 500, battery 502, or any other desired itemsto be contained within the handpiece.

In some embodiments, tissue removal member 116 may be operativelyconnected to a source of motorized rotational energy, for example amotor 500, to allow for rotation of tissue removal member 116. Proximalend 118 of tissue removal member 116 may be operatively connected tomotor 500 by any one or more of a variety of means for connecting,including but not limited to, flexible tubing, a ball bearing joint, anda spring. The means for connecting may be flexible such that tissueremoval member 116 may pivot with respect to motor 500. In one specificembodiment, motor 500 may be connected to battery 502 via standardelectrical connections 110; however motor 500 may use an alternativesource of power, such as a plug or cable for connecting directly to apower outlet or other power supply. Switch 142 is under the control ofthe user and allows current to flow from the source of power to motor500 when switch 142 in engaged. When switch 142 is engaged, motor 500may cause shaft 128 of tissue removal member 116 to rotate, therebyrotating outwardly extending projections 126 and conveying tissue fromthe distal portion 122 of tissue removal member 116 to proximal portion118. Motor 500 may be one of several types of motors including, but notlimited to, a direct current motor, an alternating current motor, an airdriven motor, or a piezoelectric motor. Battery 502 may be disposable orrechargeable, and may further be one of several types of batteryincluding, but not limited to, alkaline, nickel-cadmium, or lithium.Switch 142 may be one of several types of switches including, but notlimited to, a toggle, a button, a rocker, a single throw switch, or adouble throw switch. Furthermore, switch 142 may be configured such thatthe user must hold the switch in the ‘on’ position for the motor toremain engaged.

In one embodiment, motor 500 may be configured to rotate over a range ofspeeds rather than being limited to an ‘on’ or ‘off’ position. In thisembodiment, switch 142 may be configured to permit adjustment of thespeed by the user. The speed may generally range from about 200 to about15,000 rotations per minute (RPM). Alternatively, the motor may includegears to adjust the torque or speed of rotation of the shaft. In afurther embodiment, motor 500 and switch 142 may be configured to allowtissue removal member 116 to rotate in an opposite direction. This mayfacilitate removal of tissue from apparatus 100.

In embodiments comprising a bent sheath, as described hereinabove,apparatus 100 may be modified to accommodate the bent sheath. In oneembodiment, helical projections 126 may be absent over the portion ofshaft 128 that is within the bend. In another embodiment, segments ofshaft 128 may be absent at regions within the bend. In anotherembodiment, the diameters of the shaft or helical projections or boththe shaft and helical projections may be reduced within the region ofthe bend with respect to the diameter of the sheath. In anotherembodiment, the thickness of helical projections 126 may be variableover the length of shaft 128. In another embodiment, the finish on theinterior surface of sheath 102 may be modified to reduce any frictionthat may occur between sheath 102 and tissue removal member 116. Inanother embodiment, the speed of rotation of the shaft may be slowed, byusing a geared motor, for example, in order to reduce any friction thatmay occur between sheath 102 and tissue removal member 116.

In some embodiments, apparatus 100 may comprise an introducer apparatusthat will aid in introducing elongate member 102 into the target tissue.The introducer apparatus may include a hollow elongate introducer orcannula and an obturator. Cannula 700 may be substantially stiff orrigid, such that it may assist in piercing skin or other body tissues,or such that it may provide support for apparatus 100. Obturator 801 maybe structured to cooperatively engage with cannula 700. In other words,obturator 801 may be sized to fit within the lumen of cannula 700 andmay comprise means for securing obturator 801 to cannula 700. In oneembodiment, the outer diameter of obturator 801 may be such that whenobturator 801 is fully disposed within cannula 700, obturator 801sufficiently fills the lumen such that tissue is prevented from enteringthe lumen when the introducer device is inserted into the body. In someembodiments the distal tip of obturator 801 may be sharp. In theseembodiments, the distal tip of obturator 801 may be conical, beveled, ormore specifically, tri-beveled. The lengths of obturator 801 and cannula700 may vary depending on the application. In one embodiment, cannula700 will be sized such that distal end 702 can reach the target tissuewithin the body while the proximal end remains outside of the body. Morespecifically, cannula 700 may be between about 5.5 and about 7.5 inchesin length, and obturator 801 may be between about 5.5 and about 7.5inches in length. When the target tissue is an intervertebral disc,cannula 700 may be about 6.4 inches in length, and obturator 801 may beabout 6.6 inches in length. Obturator 801 may be slightly longer thanthe cannula 700, so that distal end 810 of the obturator may protrudefrom cannula 700 when fully disposed. The lumen of cannula 700 may besized to accommodate the diameter of elongate member 102 and obturator801, while remaining as small as possible in order to limit theinvasiveness of the procedure. In a specific embodiment, the proximalregions of cannula 700 and obturator 801 are structured to be lockedtogether with hub or lock 808. In other words, the hub or lock comprisesmeans for securing cannula 700 to obturator 801.

In one embodiment, cannula 700 and obturator 801 may be made from astainless steel. In other embodiments, cannula 700, obturator 801, orboth may be made from other materials, such as nickel-titanium alloysfor example.

As previously mentioned, elongate member 102 may be inserted through thelumen of cannula 700 in order to reach the target tissue. In such anembodiment, elongate member 102 may comprise a marking 812 on proximalportion 104, such that when distal end 110 of elongate member 102 anddistal end 702 of cannula 700 are aligned, the marking will be alignedwith the proximal end of cannula 700. The marking may take the form of acolored band, a dot, or a notch, for example. The use of the marking isdiscussed further hereinbelow.

In one embodiment, the length of cannula 700 may comprise depth markingsto aid the user in the placement of introducer apparatus. Such markingswould be spaced at specific distances along the length of cannula 700,for example at every inch. Such depth markings may be colored bands,notches, or dots for example.

In one embodiment, cannula 700 includes a radiopaque marker 704 forvisualizing the location of the cannula with respect to the targettissue using x-ray fluoroscopic imaging. In such an embodiment,radiopaque marker 704 may be located on the distal portion of cannula700. In another embodiment, a radiopaque marker may be included ondistal tip 810 of obturator 801. Examples of such markers are disclosedin U.S. patent applications US2005000079318 (publication numberUS20050159797A1), and US2003000382836 (publication numberUS20040176759A1), both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In another embodiment, the distal portion of cannula 700 may have one ofa variety of configurations, including, but not limited to, straight,bent, or beveled. In one specific embodiment, cannula 700 is straight,while distal portion 108 of elongate member 102 is curved. In such anembodiment elongate member 102 may flexibly conform to the shape ofcannula 700 while disposed within the introducer, but as it is passedthrough distal end 702 of cannula 100 it may reform to its curved shape.

In another embodiment, cannula 700 may include a port such that a liquidmay be delivered to the target tissue via cannula 700. Such a port maybe located on the proximal region of the cannula, and may comprise a hubfor joining a supply of liquid thereto.

As persons of skill in the art will recognize, the introducer devicedescribed hereinabove may be used with other devices that are structuredto remove tissue from a nucleus pulposus. The use of the introducerdevice is therefore not limited to use with apparatus 100.

In a further embodiment, apparatus 100 may be operable to deliver energyto a portion of the target tissue to further treat the tissue. Thisenergy may comprise radiofrequency electrical energy, thermal energy,microwave energy, ultrasound energy, or optical energy (e.g. laserenergy). In a further embodiment, apparatus 100 may further comprise aprobe operable to deliver energy, wherein probe refers to any elementdesigned to deliver energy to a tissue. In the case of a herniatedintervertebral disc, the application of radio frequency energy may causethe heating of the tissue surrounding the probe. This may result in theshrinkage of the nucleus pulposus tissue, which may act to further treatthe herniated disc. Examples of the use of energy to treat anintervertebral disc are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,675 (filed on05 Mar. 02) and U.S. patent application publication No. US20050234445A1,incorporated herein by reference.

In another embodiment, apparatus 100 may comprise means for measuringpressure within a patient's body. Examples of means for measuringpressure are a pressure transducer,. or a fluid filled lumen fortransmitting pressure. For example, in the case of an intervertebraldisc, there is an intrinsic pressure associated with the nucleuspulposus tissue, and the pressure may be heightened in the case of adiseased disc. The initial pressure, change in pressure, or finalpressure may be used to determine the amount of tissue to be removedfrom the disc. In this embodiment, a pressure sensor may be located indistal portion 108 of elongate member 102 or distal portion 134 of shaft128, or alternatively, on a separate instrument introduced into thetarget tissue. Furthermore, electronic circuitry may be provided tocause an auto-shutoff of apparatus 100 when a certain pressure has beenreached.

In another embodiment, apparatus 100 may comprise means for measuringthe electrical impedance within a patient's body. This feature may beuseful, for example, in ensuring the proper placement of apparatus 100in the target tissue. In the case of an intervertebral disc, theimpedance within the annulus fibrosis of an intervertebral disc may bedifferent from that within the nucleus pulposus of the disc. Thus, bymeasuring the impedance between distal end 110 of elongate member 102and a return electrode, for example, it may be possible to determinewhether distal end 110 of elongate member 102 is in the annulus fibrosisor nucleus pulposus. The impedance may be measured between a variety ofelements on the apparatus, for example between elongate member 102 and areturn electrode, elongate member 102 and tissue removal member 116,tissue removal member 116 and a return electrode, obturator 801 and agrounding pad, or between any other desired elements of the apparatus.

In another embodiment, apparatus 100 may comprise sensing means forindicating whether tissue removal member 116 is contacting or engagingtissue. Such means may include, but are not limited to, an element formeasuring the torque required to turn motor 500, an element formeasuring the forces exerted on elongate member 102, or an element formeasuring the current drawn by motor 500. The sensing means may becoupled to an indicator, such as a light or an LED, for indicating tothe user that the tissue has been engaged.

In some embodiments, apparatus 100 may comprise means for guiding distalend 110 of elongate member 102 in a desired direction. For example, apull-wire may be coupled to distal end 110 of elongate member 102, andmay extend proximally to a point located outside of the patient's body.By pulling on the pull-wire, the user may cause distal end 110 ofelongate member 102 to deflect to a location that is closer to a targetsite.

In yet another embodiment, apparatus 100 may comprise an observationsystem for visualizing the location or operation of apparatus 100. Sucha system may include, but is not limited to, an ultrasonic orfiber-optic visualization apparatus disposed at distal end 110 ofelongate member 102 or tissue removal member 116. Apparatus 100 mayalternatively be configured for use with an endoscope.

In another embodiment, apparatus 100 may comprise measuring means formeasuring the temperature at a particular position on the apparatus.Such means may include a thermocouple, thermistor, or resistancethermometer, for example. The temperature measurement means may belocated on distal end 110 of sheath 102, or distal end 136 of shaft 128for example.

Method

In one broad aspect, the invention comprises methods for removal oftissue from a body, wherein the methods are a combination of coring andconveyance. The methods described herein may be used to remove varioustypes of materials from a patient's body. Examples of such materialsinclude, but are not limited to, tissue of an intervertebral disc (forexample, the nucleus pulposus), tumor tissue (including, but not limitedto, material from breast, colon, stomach, or liver tumors), bone tissue(for example, bone marrow), cyst material, adipose tissue, eye material,cartilage, or atherosclerotic material.

While the general method for removing material may substantiallycomprise similar steps (i.e. coring and conveyance of material)regardless of the material being removed, the method of introducing theapparatus into, or removing the apparatus from, the target site, mayvary depending on the material and/or target site. For example, in thecase of bone marrow an instrument for penetrating bone, for example ahammer or a reamer, may be used to access the portion of the bone wherethe marrow is located. In the case of tumor material, extra caution maybe required to ensure that malignant cells do not track along theremoval path of the sheath of the tissue removal member so that tumormaterial is not spread within the patient's body. In such anapplication, it may be useful to cauterize the removal path of thesheath so that tissue surrounding the path is destroyed. If a cannula isused to introduce the device and remains in place during the procedure,as discussed herein below, the cauterization step may not be necessary,since the sheath of the tissue removal member doesn't contact tissue asit's removed from the patient's body.

In one embodiment, the method of the present invention may be practicedusing apparatus 100, including tissue removal member 116 disposed withinelongate member 102, as described hereinabove. Alternatively,embodiments of the method of the present invention may be practicedusing any device that provides substantially similar functionality withrespect to the steps of coring and conveying material. The steps of oneembodiment of the method may be described generally as follows: patientpreparation, insertion of the apparatus, activation of the apparatus,removal of the apparatus and patient recovery. In addition, a user maydesire to analyze the tissue removed during the procedure. These stepswill presently be discussed in greater detail. In order to illustratethe steps of this embodiment, reference will be made to a specificapplication of this embodiment in removal of tissue from anintervertebral disc (shown in FIGS. 8A-8L). It should be noted that thesteps described herein are not intended to be exclusive and furthersteps may be performed in conjunction with embodiments of the method ofthe present invention. In addition, some of the steps described hereinmay be omitted and the invention is not limited in this regard.

The step of patient preparation may comprise acquiring patient data inorder to prepare for the procedure as well as positioning the patientappropriately. Pertinent data to be acquired may include, but is notlimited to, a medical history of the patient, standard diagnostic testresults (e.g. blood tests), physical function and pain assessments andmedical imaging assessments of the patient's condition. In someembodiments, the patient may be assessed using various imagingmodalities such as MRI, X-ray, CT scan or ultrasound prior to the tissueremoval procedure. These assessments may aid in determining theappropriate location of the target site for tissue removal as well asthe amount of tissue to be removed. Prior to commencing the procedure,the patient may be positioned in a prone position (depending on thetarget site and the material being removed) and prepared using standardpre-surgical techniques.

Once preparations for the procedure have been completed, the apparatusmay be inserted to the target site within the patient's body. Thelocation and angle of insertion may depend on the target site and thespecific material being removed. For example, in the case of anintervertebral disc, the physician may insert the apparatus into theforaminal and pedicle zones, superior to the articular process, belowthe exiting spinal nerve, 20° to 40° from the sagittal plane, androughly equidistant from the superior and inferior endplates.

In some embodiments, the placement of distal end 110 of elongate member102 at the target site may be aided with the use of an introducerapparatus. Referring now to the example illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B,the introducer apparatus comprises an obturator 801 disposed within acannula 700. The introducer apparatus is advanced either percutaneouslyor in an open surgical procedure into the body of the patient andtowards the target site. When the target site has been reached,obturator 801 is withdrawn proximally from cannula 700, leaving a distalend 702 of cannula 700 at the target site, for example as shown in FIGS.8C and 8D. In the illustrated embodiment, distal end 702 of cannula 700is positioned at the boundary between the annulus fibrosis 804 and thenucleus pulposus 806 (i.e. the inner wall of the intervertebral disc).

In some embodiments, cannula 700 may comprise a radiopaque marker 704 toaid in the placement of the introducer apparatus. In such an embodiment,radiopaque marker 704 may be included at distal end 702 of cannula 700.In alternate embodiments, radiopaque marker 704 may be located elsewhereon cannula 700. The placement of cannula 700 may then be performed underfluoroscopy, such that the visibility of distal end 702 of cannula 700may be enhanced on the fluoroscopic image by radiopaque marker 704.Alternatively or in addition, various sensors may be used to assist inplacing the introducer apparatus appropriately. For example, in the caseof an intervertebral disc, an impedance measurement device may beincluded on distal end 702 of cannula 700. As the annulus fibrosis of anintervertebral disc may be of different electrical impedance than thenucleus pulposus, the user may measure the electrical impedance atdistal end 702 of cannula 700 while inserting the cannula. When theelectrical impedance measurement indicates that distal end 702 ofcannula 700 has passed through the annulus fibrosis and is within thenucleus pulposus, the user may stop the insertion process. In furtherembodiments, a contrast solution may be injected at the target sitethrough the lumen of cannula 700 in order to verify proper placement.For example, if the target site is located within an intervertebraldisc, the contrast solution, when viewed under fluoroscopy, may allow auser to visualize the boundary between the nucleus pulposus 806 andannulus fibrosis 804. In addition, other substances may be injectedthrough cannula 700 to the target site. The substance may be injectedthrough an injection port or hub coupled to cannula 700. For example, itmay be desirable to inject a fluid, including but not limited to anantibiotic, an anesthetic or an analgesic substance, prior to removingtissue from the target site.

Once cannula 700 is properly placed and any injections have beencompleted, elongate member 102 may be inserted through the lumen ofcannula 700. For example, and referring now to FIGS. 8E and 8F, elongatemember 102 and tissue removal member 116 may be advanced through thelumen of cannula 700, such that distal end 110 of elongate member 102 islocated distal to distal end 702 of cannula 700.

The device having been inserted to the target site, the procedure mayproceed by activating the tissue removal member in order to removetissue. This step of activating the device may generally includeengaging the motor to rotate the device and advancing the device,including elongate member 102, through the target site to core andconvey a desired amount of material away from the target site. Morespecifically, in one embodiment, the user may advance distal end 110 ofelongate member 102 into the target site, engage motor 500, usually viaswitch 142, and while motor 500 is engaged, advance apparatus 100distally through the target site. When apparatus 100 has been advanced aparticular distance, to be determined by the user depending on the sizeof the target site and/or the amount of material to be removed, motor500 may be disengaged, and elongate member 102 may be withdrawnproximally through the target site. In the case of a curved elongatemember, as shown in FIG. 2, elongate member 102 may be repositioned byrotating elongate member 102 about its longitudinal axis, withoutrequiring removal and re-insertion of elongate member 102 into thepatient's body. Motor 500 may then be re-engaged, and elongate member102 may be advanced into a second region of the target site. Theactivation step of the tissue removal procedure may be repeated untilthe desired volume of tissue has been removed. At this point, apparatus100 may be removed from the body, as discussed further below. It shouldbe noted that, in some embodiments, only one pass of elongate member 102may be required in order to remove the desired amount of tissue.

Without being restricted to a specific theory of operation, a proposedmechanism of action of apparatus 100, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, will be presently described. In operation, tissue removalmember 116 remains substantially static or stationary with respect tothe longitudinal axis of elongate member 102. In other words, tissueremoval member 116 does not move ‘in and out’ with respect to elongatemember 102. Apparatus 100 is advanced through the target site to corethe material to be removed. As apparatus 100 is advanced, materialenters elongate member 102 through aperture 112 and is forced proximallyinto elongate member 102 by the advancement of apparatus 100. In otherwords, material is substantially gathered into the lumen of elongatemember 102. As used herein, the term “substantially gathered” may referto a sample or portion of tissue that is still connected with tissueoutside of the lumen of elongate member 102, or may alternatively referto tissue that has been detached from tissue outside of the lumen. At acertain location within elongate member 102, the material contactstissue removal member 116, which functions to convey the materialproximally from distal portion 108 of elongate member 102, to, forexample, the exterior of the patient's body. Tissue removal member 116may function by a variety of mechanisms. In one embodiment, tissueremoval member 116 is coupled to motor 500. Upon engagement of motor500, tissue removal member 116 rotates about its longitudinal axis.Outwardly extending projections 126, described hereinabove, will engagethe tissue within elongate member 102, and convey the tissue towardproximal end 120 of tissue removal member 116. In one specificembodiment, proximal portion 118 of tissue removal member 116 isoperatively connected to collection chamber 138 as describedhereinabove. In this embodiment, the tissue may be conveyed from distalportion 108 of elongate member 102 and be deposited within chamber 138.As described hereinabove, tissue removal member 116 is recessed fromdistal tip 110 of elongate member 102; therefore the material does notcontact tissue removal member 116 until after the material has enteredthe lumen of elongate member 102. This functions to protect anynon-target tissue from tissue removal member 116. For example, in thecase of an intervertebral disc, as shown in FIGS. 8I to 8L, apparatus100 is advanced through the soft tissue of nucleus pulposus 806 toeffect removal of the tissue as described above. As apparatus 100 isadvanced, it may eventually contact annulus fibrosis 804, the integrityof which is essential to the health of the disc. Due to the more rigidstructure of the annulus fibrosis, it may be prevented from being coredinto elongate member 102, and therefore, due to the fact that tissueremoval member 116 is recessed from distal tip 110, the annulus fibrosiswill not contact tissue removal member 116. Thus, the annulus fibrosismay be protected from the high speed motion and projections of tissueremoval member 116.

In some embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 8G to 8L, a clip 802,sliding depth marker, or other marking mechanism may be used to indicatethe location of distal end 110 of elongate member 102 within thepatient's body. For example, in the case of an intervertebral disc, theuser may position distal end 110 of elongate member 102 at the boundaryof annulus fibrosis 804 and nucleus pulposus 806, as described abovewith respect to the positioning step. As shown in FIGS. 8G and 8H, theuser may then advance elongate member 102 distally through nucleuspulposus 806, without activating tissue removal member 116, until distalend 110 of elongate member 102 contacts annulus fibrosis 804 on theanterior side or portion of the disc. This point of contact may bereferred to the as the “anterior annulus inner wall” of theintervertebral disc. The boundary between nucleus pulposus 806 andannulus fibrosis 804 may be located by tactile sensation, as the annulusfibrosis 804 is generally stiffer than the nucleus pulposus 806, or byusing a contrast solution and performing the method under fluoroscopy,as described hereinabove. The user may place marker or clip 802 on thedistalmost portion of elongate member 102 that is proximal to theproximal end of cannula 700, as shown in FIG. 8G. Referring now to FIGS.8I and 8J, the user may then retract distal end 110 of elongate member102 proximally to distal end 702 of cannula 700. In one embodiment,proximal portion 104 of elongate member 102 may comprise a marking 812located such that when the marking is aligned with the proximal end ofcannula 700, it indicates that the distal ends of cannula 700 andelongate member 102 are aligned. Thus, when elongate member 102 iswithdrawn proximally through the disc, the user will know to stopretracting elongate member 102 when marking 812 is aligned with theproximal end of cannula 700. The user may then engage tissue removalmember 116, and begin the coring and conveyance procedure. As shown inFIGS. 8K and 8L, the user may stop advancing apparatus 100 through thedisc as marker or clip 802 approaches the proximal end of cannula 700.The user may then withdraw apparatus 100 by realigning the marking withthe proximal end of cannula 700, and repeat the coring and conveyingstep. The use of marker or clip 802 may help to ensure that distal end110 of elongate member 102 does not contact annulus fibrosis 804. Thismay be especially advantageous in the case of a severely damaged discthat may be severely affected by damage to annulus fibrosis 804.

Termination of the procedure may be decided by a user, which decisionmay be facilitated in one or more ways by the apparatus being used. Forexample, the procedure may be terminated once a sufficient amount oftissue has been removed. In the case of an intervertebral disc, theamount of tissue to be removed may be up to 3.0 grams, morespecifically, between 0.05 and 1.5 grams. Several methods may be used todetermine when the appropriate amount of tissue has been removed fromthe body. In one embodiment, collection chamber 138 is at leastpartially pervious to light and comprises volume markings fordetermining the amount of tissue held within chamber 138. By visualizingthe markings and/or the contents of collection chamber 138, the user maydecide when the desired amount of tissue has been removed.Alternatively, collection chamber 138 may comprise a sensing means forautomatically indicating when a desired amount of tissue has beenremoved. For example, collection chamber 138 may be fitted with asensor, including but not limited to a pressure, optical or chemicalsensor, such that the sensor may provide an indication to the user oncea desired amount of tissue has been collected. The sensor may be movableso that the user can adjust for the desired amount of tissue for a givenprocedure. In one embodiment, tissue may be collected and, once theamount of tissue collected is such that the tissue contacts the sensor,the sensor may provide an indication, for example, a visible or audibleindication, that the desired amount of tissue has been removed.

In another embodiment, a pressure monitoring device may be coupled toapparatus 100. By monitoring the change in pressure at the target site,the user may determine when the desired amount of tissue has beenremoved. Alternatively, the pressure monitoring device may be operableto provide an indication to the user when the pressure has changed by apre-determined amount. The indication may take the form of, for example,a visible or audible indication and may indicate to the user that thedesired amount of tissue has been removed. These embodiments are meantto be exemplary only, and are not intended to limit the methods fordetermining when the appropriate amount of tissue has been removed.

Once the procedure has been terminated, the tissue removal member, aswell as other components of the apparatus being used, may be removedfrom the patient's body. The step of removing these components mayinclude, in some embodiments, removing elongate member 102 from cannula700, injecting a substance through cannula 700 and removing cannula 700from the patient's body. For example, it may be beneficial to inject afluid, including but not limited to an antibiotic fluid, into the targetsite to prevent the possibility of infection.

In some embodiments, apparatus 100 may be maneuvered by the user during,for example, the positioning, advancing, and removing steps, by graspinghandpiece 140 in one or more of a variety of grips, as describedhereinabove, and manipulating handpiece 140 to control the position ofelongate member 102 and tissue removal member 116 at the target site.

The entire treatment procedure described herein may be repeated at adifferent site, if necessary. Following completion of all suchprocedures, the patient should be allowed to recover. In addition, theuser may collect material removed from the patient during the procedurein order to allow for further analysis. Collecting material from thetissue removal member may be accomplished in several ways. For example,material may be removed from tissue removal member 116 manually byscraping, tweezing or otherwise grasping and removing the material.Alternatively, if material has been collected within collection chamber138, then chamber 138 may be removed from apparatus 100, sealed and/orcapped and sent for analysis. In addition, as described further below,motor 500 may be run at high speeds in order to convey material up tocollection chamber 138 prior to removal of chamber 138. Furthermore,motor 500 may be operable to run in reverse, such that material may beconveyed to distal portion 122 of tissue removal member 116 which mayallow for easier removal of material from apparatus 100, for example.

In another embodiment, apparatus 100 may be used to introduce materialinto a patient's body. For example, in the case of an intervertebraldisc, it may be desired to add artificial (for example, synthetic) ornatural (for example, xenobiotic) material or tissue, such as collagenor cement, into the intervertebral disc. In this embodiment, thematerial may be housed in receptacle 138, and motor 500 may be run inthe reverse direction from that used in the tissue removal process. Inthis embodiment, tissue removal member 116 may be referred to as amotorized device. The motorized device may engage the material housed inthe receptacle, and convey it distally through the lumen of elongateelement 102 and deposit it in the body. In one specific embodiment,tissue may be removed from the patient's body, and then material may beintroduced into the patient's body. In this embodiment, after the tissuehas been removed from the body as described above, apparatus 100 may beremoved from the body and introducer apparatus, and the receptaclehousing the tissue may be replaced with a receptacle housing thematerial to be introduced. Device 100 may then be re-introduced into thepatient's body, as described hereinabove, and the motor may be run inreverse to convey the material into the body. Device 100 may be advancedand withdrawn within the target tissue in order to disperse thematerial. In another embodiment, material may be introduced to thetarget site prior to removal of tissue from the patient's body. In yetanother embodiment, material other than tissue, referred to herein as a“second material”, such as previously introduced cements orpharmaceutical compounds, may be removed from the target site. This maybe done either before or after the introduction of material, and beforeor after a step of removing tissue.

Some embodiments of the method aspect of the present invention maycomprise one or more further steps. For example, in one embodiment, themethod may comprise a step of delivering energy to the target sitebefore, during, or after removal of material. In this embodiment,apparatus 100 may include a probe or other device capable of deliveringenergy, as described hereinabove. The method may thus include placementof the probe at the target site, and activation of the probe to deliverenergy. The user may advance or otherwise move the probe within thetissue, or may keep the probe stationary. Further details regarding suchan embodiment may be found in co-pending U.S. patent application No.20050234445 (published on 20 Oct. 05), incorporated herein by reference.

In another embodiment, a second device may be separately introduced intothe patient's body. This device may be used to aid in the collection ofmaterial. For example, as elongate member 102 and tissue removal member116 are being operated at the target site, the secondary device may beused to push tissue towards elongate member 102.

In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises a step ofdisposing of apparatus 100 after use. This may be beneficial assingle-use devices avoid several problems associated with reusabledevices, including those associated with bacterial infections, viruses,and prions.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise one or more steps ofvariably adjusting the speed (i.e. rotations per minute—RPM) of motor500. In such embodiments, motor 500 is capable of rotating at variousspeeds, and the speed of motor 500 may be adjusted by the user. Forexample, the user may adjust the speed by using a control element suchas a dial, lever, knob, or any other control element coupled to motor500. In one such embodiment, a user may adjust the motor to run at ahigh speed as the user begins the tissue removal procedure, wherein ahigh speed may be desirable to assist in rapidly removing material.Towards the end of the procedure, however, the user may reduce the speedto ensure that an excess of tissue is not removed. Furthermore, when theprocedure is completed and apparatus 100 has been removed from thepatient's body, the user may desire to rotate tissue removal member 116at a high speed to remove any tissue remaining in elongate member 102 oron tissue removal member 116.

In another embodiment, the longitudinal motion of apparatus 100 may beautomated. In such an embodiment, the advancement of apparatus 100 intoand through the target site would be automatic, rather than as a resultof force applied by the user.

As mentioned above, this embodiment of the method of the presentinvention is not intended to be limited to use within an intervertebraldisc. Other tissues and/or materials may be removed from a patient=3 sbody using the steps described above. Embodiments of the presentinvention thus provide for a minimally invasive apparatus that may beused to remove material, for example tissue from a patient's body, whileminimizing blood loss and trauma to the patient.

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to beexemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to belimited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable sub-combination.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modificationsand variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims. All publications, patents and patentapplications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated intheir entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extentas if each individual publication, patent or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein byreference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference inthis application shall not be construed as an admission that suchreference is available as prior art to the present invention.

1. A method for removing material from a patient's body, comprising thesteps of: providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member forreceiving said material, said elongate member defining a lumen andcomprising a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end, theapparatus further comprising an elongate tissue removal member forconveying material through said lumen, said tissue removal member beingrotatably disposed within said lumen, said tissue removal member havinga proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tissue removalmember being recessed proximally relative to said aperture when saidtissue removal member is fully disposed within said lumen; gathering asample of said material into said lumen; and conveying with said tissueremoval member at least a portion of the material sample proximallyalong said lumen.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofgathering a sample of said material comprises the step of advancing theelongate member through a region of the body comprising material to beremoved.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step ofpositioning said elongate member at said region of said body.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, wherein said step of positioning said elongate memberis facilitated by fluoroscopic visualization.
 5. The method of claim 2,wherein said step of positioning said elongate member further comprisesthe steps of: providing an introducer apparatus comprising a cannuladefining a cannula lumen and an obturator disposed within said cannulalumen; inserting said introducer apparatus into said patient's body suchthat a distal end of said cannula is positioned at said region of saidbody; withdrawing said obturator from said cannula lumen; and insertingsaid elongate member into said cannula lumen.
 6. The method of claim 4,wherein said step of inserting said introducer apparatus is facilitatedby fluoroscopic visualization.
 7. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising a step of injecting a fluid through said cannula lumen. 8.The method of claim 6, wherein said fluid is selected from the groupconsisting of an anesthetic, an antibiotic and a dye.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of said elongate member and said tissueremoval member are operatively connected to a handpiece and wherein amotor is housed within said handpiece and is operatively connected tosaid tissue removal device.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein aportable source of energy is housed within said handpiece.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said tissue removal member comprises a shafthaving at least one helical projection.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein said tissue removal member comprises an auger.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a distal portion of said elongate member defines atleast one slot extending proximally from a distal end of said elongatemember.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of saidelongate member is operatively coupled to a receptacle structured tocollect material removed by said tissue removal member, said elongatemember defining at least one opening for transferring material from saidelongate member to said receptacle.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinsaid receptacle is at least partially pervious to light.
 16. The methodof claim 14, wherein said receptacle comprises means for measuring thevolume of material disposed within said receptacle.
 17. A method forremoving material from a patient's body, the method comprising the stepsof: providing an introducer apparatus comprising a cannula defining acannula lumen and an obturator disposed within said cannula lumen;inserting said introducer apparatus into a patient's body such that adistal end of said cannula is positioned at a region of the patient'sbody comprising material to be removed; withdrawing said obturator fromsaid cannula lumen; providing a tissue removal apparatus comprising anelongate member for receiving said material, said elongate memberdefining a lumen and comprising a distal end defining an aperture and aproximal end, the apparatus further comprising an elongate tissueremoval member for conveying material through said lumen, said tissueremoval member being rotatably disposed within said lumen, said tissueremoval member having a proximal end and a distal end; inserting theelongate member into said cannula lumen; and engaging the tissue removalmember in order to convey the material through the lumen of the elongatemember.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step ofadvancing said elongate member through said region of a patient's body,such that material is substantially gathered into said lumen.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising the step of engaging the tissueremoval member with a motor during said step of advancing said elongatemember.
 20. A method for removing material from a patient's body,comprising the steps of: providing a tissue removal apparatus comprisingan elongate member for receiving said material, said elongate memberdefining a lumen and comprising a distal end defining an aperture and aproximal end, the apparatus further comprising an elongate tissueremoval member for conveying material through said lumen, said tissueremoval member being rotatably disposed within said lumen, said tissueremoval member having a proximal end and a distal end; advancing theelongate member through a region of a patient's body comprising materialto be removed, so that material is at least substantially gathered intosaid lumen; and conveying at least a portion of the material at leastsubstantially gathered into said lumen away from said region.
 21. Themethod of claim 20, wherein said material is selected from the groupconsisting of cartilage, adipose tissue, and cyst tissue.